What is Discography?
Back pain is one of the most common adult complaints, affecting millions of people each year. If you suffer from chronic back pain that interferes with your daily activities, you may want to consider discography as a diagnostic tool to identify the source of your pain.
The Purpose of the Procedure
Discography Can Help You Find the Cause of Your Back Pain
Discography is a minimally invasive procedure that tests the discs in your spine for any damage or degeneration that may be causing your symptoms. It is also known as a discogram, and is a test that examines the discs in your spine to determine if they are abnormal or damaged.
The disc is an essential part of the spinal column, allowing for motion and bearing weight, these discs are soft cushions between the vertebrae that allow your spine to bend and twist. They act as shock absorbers for your spine and if that disc becomes damaged and suffers nerve trauma, fluid may leak out and cause the sensation of pain.
Sometimes the discs can become injured or worn out due to aging, trauma, disease, or other factors. This can cause them to bulge, tear, or leak fluid into the surrounding nerves and tissues. This can cause pain, inflammation, numbness, tingling, weakness, and other symptoms in the back and legs.
Discography can help pinpoint which disc or discs are causing your pain by injecting a contrast dye into them and taking X-ray images. The dye makes the discs more visible on the X-ray and shows any cracks or leaks in them.
CALL FOR TREATMENT
If you’re struggling with persistent back pain and seeking an accurate diagnosis, it’s time to take action. Reach out to the Pain Clinic at the Center for Pain & Spine in Vista, CA, and schedule a consultation with our experienced and compassionate team. We utilize advanced diagnostic techniques, such as discography, to pinpoint the root cause of your pain and guide you towards the most effective treatment options. Don’t let chronic back pain hold you back any longer. Call the pain clinic today and take the first step toward a pain-free life.
How is Discography Performed?
At Center for Pain & Spine, Discography is performed by a certified pain specialist. This diagnostic test takes place at the pain clinic in Vista, CA, with the patient comfortably lying on their stomach as a medication to relax the nerve is administered through an intravenous needle. You are conscious throughout this procedure in order to give the doctor valuable feedback. The doctor then uses a fluoroscope to locate the injured disc in question, with a guide needle helping to pressurize and inject dye into any disc suspected of being abnormal.
Each disc in question is tested in this manner as you provide feedback as to whether you are feeling either pain or pressure in that disc. A fluoroscopic machine takes a picture after each disc has been tested. The final step in this procedure is a CT scan that produces more images of the injured disc or discs.
What are the Benefits of Discography?
Discography can provide several benefits for people who suffer from chronic back pain that does not respond to conservative treatments such as medication, physical therapy or injections
Diagnose Back Pain
It can help diagnose the cause of your back pain more accurately than other imaging tests such as MRI or CT scan which may not show subtle changes in the discs
Determine Surgery Options
It can help determine if you are a good candidate for surgery such as spinal fusion or artificial disc replacement by identifying which discs need to be repaired or replaced
Help Plan Your Treatment
It can help plan your surgery more precisely by showing which levels of your spine need to be treated and how much pressure they exert on the nerves
Improve Your Outcome
It can help improve your outcome after surgery by reducing the risk of operating on healthy discs or missing damaged ones
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Will discography tell me if I need surgery for my back pain?
Discography can give your healthcare provider some really useful info about your spinal discs, which can help them figure out if surgery is the way to go. However, it’s important to remember that discography is just one piece of the puzzle in making that decision.
Is discography painful?
Discography may cause some discomfort during and after the procedure but it is usually tolerable with sedation and local anesthesia. You may feel some pressure when the needles are inserted into the discs and some pain when the dye is injected into them, however, this pain is temporary and helps confirm which discs are abnormal. You may also experience some soreness, bruising, bleeding, infection, allergic reaction, headache, nausea, dizziness, fever, or nerve damage after the procedure but these are rare and usually mild.
How should I prepare for discography?
On the day of the procedure, it’s a good idea to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and leave any jewelry or metal accessories at home. Arrange for a family member or friend to accompany you, as you’ll need someone to drive you home after the test. Finally, remember to follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare team, such as fasting requirements or any necessary paperwork. By preparing adequately, you’ll be well on your way to a successful discography experience.
After a discography, how quickly can I get back to my normal routine?
Typically, patients bounce back to their normal activities within a day or two after the procedure. Just make sure to follow your healthcare provider’s advice and steer clear of any activities that might make your back pain worse.
What types of insurance do you accept at Center for Pain & Spine?
- Medicare
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Humana
- Blue Shield of California
- United Health Care
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Scripps Health
- Health Net
- Alignment Health Plan
- Personal Injury Protection/ Med-Pay
- Personal Injury on Lien Basis
- Self-pay
We have applied to other carriers and are waiting to hear back. If you don't see your insurance listed, call to check that the list is up to date and discuss alternative options.
How can I schedule a consultation at the Center for Pain & Spine?
Contact the Center for Pain & Spine to schedule an informative consultation to discuss the benefits of Discography for your specific needs.
Expert
Comprehensive Care
Our clinic offers comprehensive care for back and spine pain and our team of experts is trained in a range of procedures to effectively manage back and spine pain.
Botox
Cervical Facet Injections
Sacro-Iliac Joint Injection
Diagnostic Medial Branch Block
Lumbar Facet Injection
Trigger Point Injections
Treatment
Advanced Techniques
We utilize advanced techniques to effectively manage back and spine pain. These procedures have been shown to be effective in relieving pain and improving quality of life.
Radiofrequency Ablation
Lumbar Radiofrequency Neurotomy
CERVICAL RADIOFREQUENCY NEUROTOMY
Joint Injection
Discography
Procedures
Minimally Invasive
If you are suffering from back and spine pain, our clinic offers minimally invasive procedures that have a high success rate in reducing pain and improving mobility. These procedures can help alleviate pain and improve mobility.
Kyphoplasty
Thoracic Epidural Steroid Injection
Thoracic Facet Injection
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion
Spinal Cord Stimulator
Spinal Decompression
Treat Your Pain
Don’t Let Pain Hold You Back
Call Now
(760) 385-3031
Office
2301 S Melrose Dr, Vista, CA 92081
Monday - Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 1pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed